Australia’s first incinerator bottom ash processing facility is up and running, rewriting the way the nation treats waste.
Ian Lynass has finally seen his vision become reality.
In October, the Managing Director of Blue Phoenix Australia flicked the switch on an Australian-first facility that has been five years in the making and is set to change the nation’s waste landscape.
Ian has been the driving force behind the Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) treatment facility in Kwinana, Western Australia and has been patiently waiting to be able to showcase a proven, sustainable and responsible way to recover and reuse materials otherwise lost to landfill.
He got that chance when the $11.3 million IBA project at Hope Valley in Kwinana, Western Australia powered up.
“I am extremely proud to bring Australia’s first incinerator bottom ash treatment facility to life in support of our partnering customer Acciona, owners of the Kwinana Energy Recovery Project,” Ian says.
“This new patented and proven technology will bring about a truly circular economic outcome for our customers and the community.”
The opening was attended by Ardi Stoios-Braken, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, and Elizabeth Carr, Chair of Western Australia’s Waste Authority, along with local and interstate industry leaders. Ian says it’s a major step for Blue Phoenix and Australia’s waste management landscape.
“We are excited to bring our global expertise in IBA processing to Australia, where we see tremendous potential for reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability,” he says.
“This facility will also be available to help educate local communities about the recycling of waste and the responsible recovery of construction materials that, until now, simply ended up increasing the landfill debt for future generations.”
The state-of-the-art plant will process 100 per cent of the IBA – about 80,000 tonnes per annum – from its EfW partner, Acciona, transforming it into valuable secondary materials, such as aggregates for use in the civil construction industry.
For the past 20 years, Blue Phoenix Group in Europe has recovered and safely reintroduced 15-million tonnes of aggregate, predominantly into road base, with no detrimental environmental effects.
“Blue Phoenix Group focus on responsible and sustainable solutions. We liberate the resident metals in the ash and deliver a high-quality aggregate into the civil construction industry,” Ian says.
“For 25 years we have proven the benefits of this material both mechanically and environmentally.”
As well as spearheading the IBA plant construction, Ian established the Manufacturers of Incinerator Bottom Ash Aggregate of Australia (MIBAAA) Association, to bring together industry players to ensure sustainable and responsible pathways for the reuse of incinerator bottom ash.
The association is supported by Manufacturers of IBA Aggregates Association in the United Kingdom, which has worked with regulators and industry to set standards for the reuse of more than 2.5 million tonnes of ash each year.
“IBAA is a resource that has not previously been recovered in Australia. This is an exciting time to really tap into recycled materials that we didn’t even know were there,” Ian says.
The first ash was received at the Western Australian plant on 13 September 2024, and the official commissioning started on 1 October 2024. It was a proud moment for Ian, and his family, who have shared his vision. Daughter Stephanie is taking on the role of operations supervisor at the plant.
“My most sincere thanks go to my wife Fiona and my family who have all been very actively involved in bringing this dream to reality,” he says.
“I could not have done it without their support.”
Perth councillors and businesses have previously toured the site. Blue Phoenix welcomes other state’s representatives to tour the plant to gain an appreciation of the opportunity to divert material from landfill through IBA processing.
For more information, visit: www.bluephoenix-group.com